Page 8 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.5 2020-21

Portugal 1 (Borges 69) Scotland 0
A second half strike from Ana Borges saw Scotland fall to a 1-0 defeat in their UEFA Women's
EURO qualifier in Lisbon.
Scotland began the stronger of the two sides, dominating possession for the most part in the
early exchanges. Scotland's best chance arose when Kim Little curled an effort from the edge of the
box and saw the ball fly over the bar.
Earlier in the half, Erin Cuthbert demonstrated a great piece of skill to free herself inside the
box but she contrived to shoot high and wide of the target.
After 37 minutes Lee Alexander was called into action when she pulled off an excellent save
as Portugal probed inside Scotland's box. At the break the scores were level.
Scotland knew a goal was vital and brought on Martha Thomas in place of Leanne Crichton.
Kirsty Hanson began to become a threat in the second half and hit the side netting with a deflected
shot after 60 minutes.
The winger was then close to carving out a golden opportunity but her first touch escaped
her as she looked to shape for a shot which would have been destined for the target.
Scotland's pressure didn't pay off though and after 69 minutes they found themselves one
goal down through a Borges finish which rolled agonisingly beyond Alexander and into the net,
sparking jubilant Portugal celebrations.
Shelley Kerr's side immediately retaliated with Martha Thomas setting up Kirsty Hanson
who again shot at goal but failed to hit the target.
With six minutes left on the clock, Lisa Evans made a terrific driving run from her own half,
which ended in the Portugal box as she squared it to Martha Thomas. The striker's shot was well
saved by Patricia Morais, who was quick off her line.
Another chance came in injury time as Caroline Weir's free kick was met by Jennifer Beattie
but her header went wide of the post as the Portuguese defence, which has only conceded one goal
so far in the group, held out for three vital points and left Scotland requiring other results to go in
their favour if they are to keep their qualification hopes alive.
Portugal: Patricia Morais, Monica Mendes, Silvia Rebelo, Carole Costa, Joana Marchao,
Tatiana Pinto (sub Andreia Faria 78mins), Dolores Silva (sub Vanessa Marquez 90mins), Fatima
Pinto, Claudia Neto (sub Andreia Norton 81mins), Ana Marques Borges, Diana Silva. Subs not
used: Ines Pereira, Alicia Correia, Melissa Gomez, Francisca Nazareth, Carolina Mendes, Ana
Capeta, Rute Costa, Catarina Amado.
Scotland: Lee Alexander, Emma Mitchell (sub Nicola Docherty 45mins), Rachel Corsie, Jennifer
Beattie, Rachael Boyle, Kim Little, Caroline Weir, Leanne Crichton (sub Martha Thomas 54mins),
Lisa Evans, Kirsty Hanson (sub Lizzie Arnot 78mins), Erin Cuthbert. Subs not used: Shannon
Lynn, Jenna Fife, Hannah Godfrey, Jane Ross, Chloe Arthur, Sophie Howard, Samantha Kerr,
Fiona Brown, Lucy Graham.
(www.scottishfa.co.uk)

Scotland 0 Finland 1 (Rantanen 90)
Scotland were knocked out of UEFA Women's EURO 2022 thanks to a very late, fortuitous goal
from Finland substitute Amanda Rantanen.
Despite dominating in the capital, Scotland failed to find a way past the rigid visitors at
Easter Road in the final fixture of 2020.
Claire Emslie was ruled out through injury and replaced by Rachel McLauchlan, with
Christie Murray back available after finishing her 14 days of self-isolation following a COVID-19
outbreak at Birmingham City.
The Scots started strongly in Edinburgh and found themselves knocking on the door for
large chunks of the opening 15 minutes. The first real opportunity fell to Jane Ross wide on the
right hand side after she was cleverly picked out by Christie Murray, but the forward overcooked
her cross in to the area.
Issue no. 5 - 3 December 2020 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk